September 9: Today's Birthday in Comedy and Film: Adam Sandler

Adam Sandler (born September 9, 1966) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer. After making a name for himself on Saturday Night Live, Sandler went on to appear in and produce a series of goofy comedies including Happy Gilmore (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998), The Water Boy (1998), and others.

Sandler was born in Brooklyn, New York to Stanley and Judy Sandler. His family moved to New Hampshire when he was five years old. By the time he went to college, he knew he had a talent for entertainment. When he was 17, his brother encouraged him to perform at a Boston comedy club. He attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

One of Sandler's first major roles was as Theo Huxtable's friend on The Cosby Show from 1988 to 1989. After appearing regularly on MTV's Remote Control and starring in his first film, Going Overboard, Sandler was hired onto the cast of Saturday Night Live. He remained a cast member for five seasons, performing such characters as Cajun Man, Opera Man and Canteen Boy.

In 1995, Sandler starred in his first title film role in Billy Madison. This was followed by a series of films including Happy Gilmore (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998) co-starring Drew Barrymore, The Water Boy (1998), Big Daddy (1999), and Little Nicky (2000).

In 1999, Sandler started his own film company, Happy Madison Productions. It went on to produce the vast majority of Sandler's films.

By the early 2000s, Sandler moved into a new direction with films that garnered slightly more critical praise. These films included Punch-Drunk Love (2002), Anger Management (2003), and Spanglish (2004).

The latter half of the 2000s saw Sandler return to the over-the-top types of comedies that had gotten him famous. He appeared in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry (2007) and You Don't Mess With the Zohan (2008).

His biggest successes in recent years came with the films Grown Ups (2010), and, despite being panned by critics, Jack and Jill (2011).